Compared to even 50 years ago, modern sailors live in a luxurious world. Our yachts are fast, safe and trustworthy, but they are also loaded with all sorts of go-fast goodies, tricked-out routing software, and—most importantly—communication gear that makes it possible to call in the cavalry from virtually anywhere on the planet.

Which brings up an important point: the cavalry. The U.S. Coast Guard, the boys who put their asses on the line when we boaters (we'll blame the powerboaters, of course, but—truth be told—we racers have been known to call for help as well) get in over our heads. But who takes care of the cavalry when men are lost? For anyone unfamiliar with the Coast Guard Foundation, now is an excellent time to start researching—and contributing to—one of the most important sailing-related non-profits out-there.

And now, thanks to their inaugural Coast Guard Foundation Cup, an overnight distance race that's being held on May 14 in Annapolis, Maryland, you can show your support for this fantastic organization by doing something we all love. 'This race is a natural fit for the Coast Guard Foundation,' said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. 'The men and women of the Coast Guard serve our country by protecting sailors and other mariners. By sponsoring this Cup, people and businesses are able to give back to those who give so selflessly of themselves to protect everyone at sea.'

In decidedly inshore circles, the new AC45 class, the little sister of the AC72s that will be used to contest the 34th America's Cup, passed an important milestone yesterday when the prototype boat was officially handed over to the America's Cup Race Management (ACRM), signifying that testing is over and sailing can begin.

Team New Zealand sailing the AC45 - 5 February 2011 Richard Gladwell

It is now ACRM's job to coordinate the related logistics and repairs as the teams begin to sail the boat. 'To see the AC45 come together from just a concept in September to a full-fledged racing machine by January is a true testament to the skill of the New Zealand marine industry,' said Iain Murray, America's Cup Race Management (ACRM) CEO and Regatta Director. 'In particular we have to thank the team at Core Builders Composites who have produced an incredible boat that is fast yet robust. They remain hard at work on the balance of the AC45 fleet, which will be delivered to the teams for testing through April, before we leave Auckland to compete in the 2011 America's Cup World Series.' Check out Sail-World's detailed coverage of this hand-over, as well as the traditional Maori ceremony that marked the occasion, in this issue.

Meanwhile, we are starting to see a bit of compression in the front of the fleet in the Barcelona World Race as race leaders Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron, aboard Virbrac Paprec 3, are encountering stickier conditions than the rest of the fleet as they negotiate the second Australian safety barrier. So far the dominating French duo has bled some 100 miles to the triumvirate of Mapfre, Estrella Damm and Groupe Bel. Regardless of the numbers, you can count on the fact that the sailors are looking forward to this section of the racecourse. 'The Cook Straits are always a piece of magic at the end of a month and a half at sea,' says Dick. 'You are dirty and missing lots of things and you pass through the strait in New Zealand where life is cool. To see people, human life beside you is rather magical. With the mountains it is magnificent, majestic, really impressive. But then you have to plunge into the Pacific. It is a very unique moment though, but also it can be quite violent. But it should be moderate, passing through in the middle of summer, and so it should be a bit less risky.'

May the four winds blow you safely home.

David Schmidt, US Editor Sail-World.com

America's Cup: A Day of Celebration for the AC45 America's Cup Media, With its technical shakedown now complete, it was handover day for the new AC45 wing-sailed catamaran, marking the beginning of the next era of the America's Cup. America's Cup Race Management (ACRM) will now manage the logistics, care and maintenance of the prototype as competitors test the boat over the coming weeks. The AC45 is the forerunner to the larger AC72, which will be used in the 34th A... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Video Interview - Bruno Trouble Richard Gladwell, Bruno Trouble, frontman for longtime America's Cup sponsor Louis Vuitton, has a long history with the America's Cup. Now a new chapter in the America's Cup has opened and Richard Gladwell, Sail-World New Zealand's Editor caught up with 'Big Trouble' at the launch of the prototype AC45 at Auckland's Viaduct harbour this morning.... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Bob Fisher reflects - Video Interview Richard Gladwell, Top international yachting journalist and America's Cup commentator, Bob Fisher, was at the blessing and launch of the prototype AC45 in Auckland this morning and took the time out to reflect on the early days of wingsails on catamarans, the AC45's and AC72's... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Iain Murray speaks at AC45 launch - Video Richard Gladwell, America's Cup Regatta Director, Iain Murray, was in Auckland for the blessing and launch of the AC45 prototype, which was handed over to his group America's Cup Regatta Management, late last week. In this video of his address, he recalls the first time he sailed in Auckland and pays tribute to the people behind the AC45.... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Jimmy Spithill and the NZL Sailing Team - AC45 launch Richard Gladwell, America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill was on stage this morning at the Viaduct Harbour for the launch and blessing of the AC45 prototype. The spot on which he was standing was not too far away from where his America's Cup career began as a 20year old, aboard the Young Australia, which was berthed on the opposite side of the harbour... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Launch the of the prototype AC45 - Video Richard Gladwell, The prototype AC 45 was launched in calm conditions this morning at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour after being blessed. This video shows the quick lift and launch process with the AC45 slung by the top of her mast from a 'sky hook'. Midway through the video we can see the hook-loop being dropped from the top of the mast, once the boat is afloat.... [more]Share this story

Barcelona World Race – Farewell to the Indian summer Barcelona World Race, Barcelona World Race - The leading group of the BWR may be ready to reflect on their passage across an unusually lenient south Indian Ocean but the tail enders of the fleet have been dealing with a punishment which is more perhaps more typical.... [more]Share this story

America's Cup: Peyron brothers behind the latest Challenger America's Cup Media, Energy Team, the new French challenge set up around Bruno and Loïck Peyron, has been officially registered for the 34th America's Cup since 27th January 2011. It is the sixth Challenger aiming to grab the silver ewer. Energy Team backed by the Yacht Club de France and they were announced as a Challenging Club, last week. They are the seventh team entered the 34th America's Cup to be staged in S... [more]Share this story

Banque Populaire V heading home Brian Thompson, We gybed onto the long starboard up to the Doldrums at midnight and are now heading north at good speed... [more]Share this story

Kieler Woche NOR posted Farr 30 International One Design Class, Kieler Woche, Farr 30 Europe - The biggest sailing event of the year cast its shadows ahead! The sailors can now study the Notice of Race and read up on the event.... [more]Share this story

Heineken Cape to Rio Yacht Race - Latest news from Rio Jeanne van Rooyen (Race HQ), Heineken Cape to Rio Yacht Race - Spirit of Izivunguvungu has been given a six-hour penalty for receiving assistance from another yacht during the race.... [more]Share this story

Marina design questioned after Cyclone Yasi destroys $30m in yachts Lee Mylchreest, Marina design has come under the spotlight following Australia's Cyclone Yasi. Floating pontoons in Port Hinchinbrook marina simply floated off the top of the pylons, releasing the yachts to be washed onto the shore and destroyed. This is the claim being made by some owners who lost their boats in the cyclone.... [more]Share this story

Barcelona World Race - What's cooking for the Straits? Barcelona World Race, Barcelona World Race - As Virbrac Paprec 3 crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin this morning at around 1010hrs UTC, the leading French pair were moving at more modest speeds seeing their record lead ebbing again as the chasing trio catch up steady miles... [more]Share this story

Melges 24 World Championship 2013 San Francisco - Dates announced Fiona Brown, Melges 24 Worlds - The International Melges 24 Class Association and The San Francisco Yacht Club are pleased to announce that the 2013 Melges 24 World Championship will be hosted by the San Francisco Yacht Club.... [more]Share this story

Extreme Sailing Series - Full team line-ups unveiled Extreme Sailing Series, Extreme Sailing Series - World Champions and ocean racing record holders, will be squaring up against Olympians and America's Cup hotshots, in the impressive roll call for the Extreme Sailing Series this year.... [more]Share this story

Velux 5 Oceans - Quick progress East Velux 5 Oceans, Velux 5 Oceans third sprint has had an exciting few days as the solo skippers make quick progress east. At the 0000 UTC position report it was American ocean racer Brad Van Liew on Le Pingouin who was out in front. Despite the champagne sailing of the past few days Van Liew is ever aware of what awaits on the 6,000 nautical mile sprint to Punta del Este in Uruguay.... [more]Share this story

J/24 North American Championships to be held in beautiful Halifax, NS Katie Nicoll, 2011 J/24 North American Championships August 16-20, 2011 Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Halifax, Nova Scotia Website: http://j24northamericans2011.wordpress.com/about/ Conveniently located on the west shore of the Northwest Arm, the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron is only minutes from downtown Halifax.... [more]Share this story

B&G Zeus receives Freeman K. Pittman Innovation Award Andrew Golden, B&G, a world leader in marine instruments, autopilot systems and tactical software solutions for the sailing market, announced today that its powerful new multifunction navigation display, Zeus, has received the 2011 Freeman K. Pittman Innovation Award from SAIL magazine.... [more]Share this story

America's Cup AC45 technical shakedown complete Stephanie Martin, AC45 technical shakedown is now complete, and with that it is handover day for the new wing-sailed catamaran, marking the beginning of the next era of the America's Cup. America's Cup Race Management (ACRM) will now manage the logistics, care and maintenance of the prototype as competitors test the boat over the coming weeks.... [more]Share this story

Les Voiles de St. Barth battle for Leopard 3 and Rambler Sabina Mollart-Rogerson, Les Voiles de St. Barth 2011 registrations are going well for the second edition (4 - 9 April 2011), with 40 boats having signed up in the five categories competing (Super Maxi, Classic, Racing, Racing-Cruising, and Racing-Multihull).... [more]Share this story

BoatUS News - With E15, boaters, anglers will need extra vigilance BoatUS, BoatUS News - With the EPA's recent decision to allow the use of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol (E15) in 2001 and newer model cars and trucks, BoatUS says that trailerboaters will need to remain extra vigilant when filling up their truck and trailered boat at the local gas station.... [more]Share this story

Neptune Regatta 2011 - what does it take to lose a second? Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia, Two windward-leeward races for the IRC Racing boats, a welcome home for the PY Cruisers, and best news of all, a welcome amendment to SIs in the form of a 1400 hrs start for the cans racing. Sailors were grateful – yesterday had been long, very long.... [more]Share this story

2011 Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race - Jamaica bound! Montego Bay Race, We had two great all-clear starts, both of which were very punchy. The PHRF class was actually a bit closer to the line than the IRC class, with a minute to go, but both were right on the line at the gun.... [more]Share this story

Images of the Velux 5 Oceans: Wellington Start Genevieve Howard, Sail-World's Genevieve Howard was on hand to capture the dockside scenes as the four solo racers in the Velux 5 Oceans, round the world race restarted from Wellington on Sunday.... [more]Share this story

Brian Thompson tells of Banque Populaire V's retirement Brian Thompson, As you might have heard by now, we have turned our bows away from Cape Horn, and back towards Lorient, the boat's home port.... [more]Share this story

We are sending you this newsletter because you are already receiving an existing Sail-World newsletter or because we believe this will be of interest to you. If you like this newsletter, do nothing, we will send you regular news.If you don't, its a single click to stop.

No, I don't need or want to read about US and World sailing news. Please don't send me another.

Follow Sail-World on Twitter

Customized news feeds

Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have asked can they received their own customised version of our Sail-World news feed. The answer is yes; customized in content, news category, for example dinghies, small keelboats or just monohull racing, or Region of the world and appearance.

Change the frequency of newsletters, from three times a week to the weekly summary or even a monthly newsletter. Change from html (graphics and pictures) newsletters to text only newsletters (best for slow connections, mobile phones and PDA's etc). Change from Sail-World USA Newsletters to Sail-World Cruising Newsletters etc. Temporarily inactivate your subscription for a period, when you will be on holidays etc. or change to text for the same period. Or even (gasp) unsubscribe.